woodsaint1

Peter Walton on PL Tonight defending Mike Dean's decision. Claimed there was definitely contact (while they repeatedly showed the replay which showed no contact 😂) and he was right to send Bednarek off. Then said the appeals panel apply different criteria and thats why it was rescinded. It was honestly embarassing to watch. Clearly immune to criticising one of his own

Fully understand our need for a steady stream of youth players filtering into the first team (lack of investment forcing our hand), but theres also a worrying stubborness about us promoting youth at all costs and becoming chained to the 'Southampton Way'. I could understand if we were regularly bringing through youth players ready for first team football, signing the best youth talent and competing near the top of the PL2/under 18 PL. But we havent been successful at this for years and alot of other clubs academies have surpassed us, yet you dont see these clubs pushing youth players to the same extent as us. Yes clubs like City, Chelsea etc dont need to with their riches, but it appears we're expecting an awful lot of our academy when a large majority are nowhere near good enough or ready for the PL. It is incredibly difficult to make the step up from PL development to the real thing and its certainly not helped by the relaxed nature of development leagues (would love to see figures of academy graduates across PL clubs making 10+ appearances a season in the past 5 years). PL U23 performances in the Checkatrade Trophy (or whatever its called now) has been poor across the board. Its all well and good learning Ralphs style of play, but theres a huge difference applying it in PL2 and the actual PL. The game is changing. We're seeing some clubs reducing their academy structures and preferring to focus their efforts on smarter recruitment and creating partnerships with other clubs. Our recent poor seasons were determined by poor recruitment, not the lack of youth ingegration. Its disappointing that I cant get excited by any of our young players right now, but I'm wary of previous high expectations placed upon the likes of Slattery, Vokins, Hesketh, Obafemi etc and seeing where they are now. The club need to be realistic that in the current system we can hope for 1 or 2 players breaking into the first team every couple of years, but thats the height of it. Hopefully if we get a new owner in the future, they place less expectation on our academy and recognise that any youth players who do make the grade are a bonus used to supplement sound recruitment.

We need about 7 points to be safe (not a mission the bottom are reaching 36 points) so you would just be wasting your money

Negative goal difference coming in with a bang

Thrown in because of our transfer dealings? Hes in because of injuries to Diallo, Romeu and Smallbone. He also played a bit against Shrewsbury and Arsenal

Ntcham off to Marseille. Not that we were ever really interested

Hoping for a Toby Alderweireld-esque last minute deal which nobody seen coming. Highly doubt it though, time for bed

So right now, we have one first team LB and one first team RB (who is injured). As much as i dont rate Valery or Vokins, they shouldnt be allowed to leave until replacements are in the building. What are we thinking 🤯

Hes touted as one of the best young LBs in Ligue 1. Would also cost upwards of 12 million so highly unlikely we would pay that for LB cover, unless Bertrand is leaving in the summer (despite saying hes happy, still no contract signed)

Thats what happens when you back a decent manager with some money (96 million net spend in the summer) compared with our penny pinching (12 million net spend). Ralph may claim to be happy about the self sustainable mantra of the club, but its only a matter of time until he sees clubs passing us and gets persuaded to go elsewhere just like Poch/Koeman

I know what you're saying, we often recycle the ball too much with the GK and two CBs playing between themselves for a while. Cant complain about being toothless tonight. We had a goal ruled out (somehow), a shot blocked by a hand, a couple of great saves from Martinez and a few cleared off the line. Just no luck tonight unfortunately

Decisions were a disgrace. What is that sleeve rule all about, i mean honestly what a load of shite. Thought Che made a big difference when he came on. Djenepo continues to frustrate. Could be a costly one depending on how serious the injuries to Romeu, Diallo and Walcott (not bothered by Walcott, could do with a rest because hes been poor)

Its been the issue with Theo in recent years, way too inconsistent. Gets himself in great positions but then let down by a poor touch, pass or decision. Unless theres an upturn in form and 5/6 goals between now and the season end, I wouldnt be bothered with us not making it permanent. AMN would be a great replacement

Lost interest when it said that Djenepo is an effective attacking option. Must be watching a different team

Watching Valery is depressing. Defensively so inept

Arteta is hardly a genius by realising that we're playing our B team defence. Press us high and we'll make mistakes - exactly whats happened. Can see us scoring, but really cant see us not conceding again ☹

Celtic's Jeremie Frimpong, who I think we were linked with before, is in talks with Leverkusen. Might just rule them out of any move for Brandon Williams, should United be willing to let him go out on loan at the end of the window

Yes we've injuries but typical saints web defeatist attitude. Wait until we actually play the games first. To keep the season interesting? We have a game in hand on a number of sides above us, win that and we go 6th and 2 points off 4th. Maybe you would rather we be in the relegation zone to make it more interesting for you 🤷🏽‍♂️

McCarthy KWP Bednarek Vest Bertrand Armstrong JWP Romeu Walcott Ings Adams

What a waste of a career. From Juve to barely making the bench for newly promoted Fulham in 4 years. Still only 27 too. Permanent deal only please

Diallo just keeps getting better but lets not forget how influential Oriol has been end of last season/this season until he got injured. Great conundrum for Ralph to have with them both and JWP as CM options

Thought Adams did well. Denied by Leno what would have been a quality goal. His movement and hold up play helps the team so much. Even if he was "off the boil", you're still playing him ahead of Walcott, N'Lundulu and Long regardless

Hopefully he signs the new contract, but its inevitable a release clause will be included in any agreement. Seen figures of £35m (club preference) and £20m (Ings preference) being banded around. Unclear if they're accurate but could see a meeting in the middle around £25-27.5m. Would suit both parties - club gets a slightly bigger guaranteed fee and Ings get an option to leave if clause met. Is there a period of time which needs to expire before the clause can be activated? If not there will probably be a few clubs interested this summer - Spurs and City being the most likely move for him. Just need to hope Spurs miss out on CL (not that it put off PEH) and City look elsewhere. Couldnt see United or Liverpool being interested but who knows

What a shit show in the final third, not helped by Shlong running about like a headless chicken. Trying to play through gaps which werent there as they had 10/11 behind the ball most of the time. Least the kids got some minutes, although not many stood out. Thought Watts was probably the brightest, Vokins next. JWP, Diallo and Bednarek all looked very comfortable.

Aye